As we head into the summer there are a number of Japan-related events around the country to get you into Japanese festival mode! From Cardiff to Glasgow to London, people around the country have been getting together to show their enthusiasm for all things Japan. We take a closer look at a few events (past and present). Why not get involved yourself?

If you are planning any Japan-related events in the future, please do not hesitate to submit your event to our Japan-UK Events Calendar. For more information on how to do so, please click here.

Cardiff Central Library hosted Japan Day celebrating Japanese Culture and Literature with various performances and workshops on Saturday the 31st May. Japan Day is organised by Community Languages Department of Cardiff Libraries in partnership with local Japanese Community Members, businesses and local institutions. The event aims to raise awareness and understanding about the people, literature and culture of Japan among the wider community. Some of the key features of the Japan Day are Bon-Odori Folk Dance, Tea ceremony, Calligraphy & Origami, Animation & Manga workshops, Yukata-dressing up, Kendo Martial Art, Music, Storytelling, Bonsai & Ikebana display and much more…… Traditional Japanese Artefacts collected from within the community were also exhibited at the event. In addition there were Japanese Market stalls selling food, jewellery, shibori, weaving and other crafts.

For more information about this event contact
Central Library @ 02920382116 or
Email: centrallibrary@cardiff.gov.uk

When the Japanese Matsuri was held in June 2001, as part of the UK-wide Japan 2001 celebration, it was planned as a one-off event, but more than 2000 people turned up. With the encouragement from the Japanese Embassy, a Japanese festival has been held twice a year in Glasgow ever since by Japanese Matsuri for Glasgow, a recognised Scottish charity (SC034172).  The 14th Japanese Matsuri will be held on Saturday 14 June at Wellington Church, University Avenue, G12, from 1 to 3.30pm. There will be Japanese experience corners from 1 to 2.30pm for visitors to put on kimono, write their names in Japanese alphabets, try origami, colour in Japanese fairy tales, and sample Japanese sweets. The performance corners from 2.30 to 3.30pm include Taiko drumming by the participants at JMG’s workshops, and singing of Japanese songs by the students from the Saturday Japanese Class. This admission-free event is a festival for all, regardless of their backgrounds.

Okinawa Day 2014 is an admission free one day outdoor event at Spitalfields in London to promote Okinawan culture in the U.K. This is our 6th annual event which was initially started in 2009 and we have welcomed more than 8000 visitors last year. At Okinawa Day 2014, we are planning to organise wide variety of activities including performing arts (folk and classical songs accompanied by Sanshin lute, drumming performance and Eisa dance), Karate performance by five different groups, arts and crafts, food stalls which sells Okinawan food such as Sata Andagi (deep fried doughnut) and tourism information. We look forward to welcoming you all at Okinawa Day 2014 on 21 June from 10am to 6pm at Spitalfields, London E1.

Further Ahead:

You may also be interested in the following events coming up over the next few months. Don't forget to keep an eye on our website and Events Calendar for more details.

JICC